Wisdom of the Body Moving: An Introduction to Body-Mind Centering [Paperback]

Linda Hartley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 1995 | ISBN-10: 1556431740 | ISBN-13: 978-1556431746 | Edition: 1

This comprehensive guide introduces Body-Mind Centering, the internationally recognized field pioneered by dancer and occupational therapist Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. Devoting thirty-five years to a systematic investigation of the relations between bodily experience and the anatomical maps of science, Bainbridge Cohen independently discovered many of the principles that underlie Feldenkrais work, cranial osteopathy, Rolfing, dance therapy, and Zero Balancing. Experienced BMC practitioner Linda Hartley demonstrates the basic philosophy and key elements of Body-Mind Centering. Drawing on animal and infant movements, she takes readers through the wondrous realms of Bainbridge Cohen’s pantheon—from the 'minds' of the skeletal and muscular systems to the quite different inner lives of digestive, lymphatic, urinary, respiratory, vocal, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive organs. Her choreography ultimately brings us into the states of consciousness of skins, cells, blood, fat, cerebrospinal fluid, nervous system, and brain. Hartley’s explorations of the images, feelings, sensations, and intuitions of the diverse organs and cells lead to exercises that gently guide students in ways of discovering and integrating their bodies’ multidimensional aspects.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Body-Mind Centering, developed by physical therapist and dancer Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, systematically explores the complex relationships between bodily experience and science. Hartley puts forth BMC's philosophy and its key components of investigating the "minds" of our skeletal systems, digestive organs, etc., through breath and imagery. "A specific `mind,'" she says, "can be experienced and witnessed when we direct our attention to a particular body system or part of the body, or when we move with a certain focus and identifiable quality." Starting with basic cellular structure, she takes readers through in utero development, birth, patterns of growth, and the body's many systems. The book's many photographs illustrating various exercises combine with anatomical drawings and generous endnotes and bibliography to make it a thorough grounding for further study. Whitney Scott

Review

"Wisdom of the Body Moving is beautifully written, poetic and concrete, and in tune with the essential nature of the intuitive process underlying this path of embodiment. Thank you, Linda."
-Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Founder and Educational Director, The School for Body-Mind Centering

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books; 1 edition (October 17, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556431740
• ISBN-13: 978-1556431746
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of THE wisest books on Body Wisdom!, March 16, 2005

By 

Charlie Badenhop "charliebhop" (Nakano-ku, Tokyo Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Wisdom of the Body Moving: An Introduction to Body-Mind Centering (Paperback)

If you are interested in a somatic approach to learning more about yourself, or learning how to help others, this book is one of THE very best books on the intelligence of the body, that I have ever read. I work as a somatic practitioner myself and I find this book to be invaluable. Not only as a basic primer, but also as a reference book, and a book that has helped me in creating various exercises for myself and my clients.

This book is well thought out and well sequenced. It does not get much better than this!
(And believe me, I am NOT getting paid for this review! <G>)

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I recommend this book for anyone doing any sort of body work., March 2, 2009

By 

yogi-vet "Liz" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wisdom of the Body Moving: An Introduction to Body-Mind Centering (Paperback)

My 200 hour level yoga teacher training course heavily leaned on the body mind centering work of Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. My yoga teacher is a direct student of BBC. Often I wished my yoga teacher would put her beautiful wisdom into a book. This work, body mind centering, is an incredible resource for power, self nurturance and healing. Body mind centering is a direct path into the self and is incorporated into any movement or body work. This deep knowledge of the body and its wisdom is our birthright. It's really powerful stuff. I think everyone practicing any form of movement therapy would benefit from exploring body mind centering work. This book, by Linda Hartley, fully explains the BMC work and experience. This is the book I wish my yoga teacher had written. I am very grateful she made this book required reading for her 500 hour course. It's a resource I will go back to time and time again.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FAscinating and Easy To Read, July 9, 2010

By 

Rosie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wisdom of the Body Moving: An Introduction to Body-Mind Centering (Paperback)

This is my third copy of Wisdom of the Body Moving, as I have lent others to students intrested in learning a little more about the working body. This book is so well written, comprehensive, and informative. I was turned on to it years ago by my yoga teacher/boss, and I use its priciples in my own teaching now. Yoga students, dancers, athletes - body movers - would get so much out of a read!